Storage rack



L. Z. HALL STORAGE RACK Nov. 17, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. lO, 1962 PMM., m. wd T M h2/ I|I|| ..u mi# M7 L. Z. HALL STORAGE RACK Nov. 17, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 .Il lllll IIIIIIIIIIIIIIVIIII l I {Jl-l l I l INVENTOR.

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STORAGE RACK 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 10, m62

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INVENTOR. ee Z. H4 ZZ Nov. 17, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. l0, 1962 L- i l l l l i TN'/ENTOR A66 Hd/ kx BY 74W@ y W/UIHHJIIIIINWHHHN .Hnmwnmmwm wud Nov. 17, 1964 L. z. HALL 3,157,424

STORAGE RACK Filed Dec. 10, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. 6e 7, #f77 United States Patent O 3,157,424 STGRAGE RACK Lee Z. Hail, Huntington Woods, rich., assigner to Palmer-Shiite Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 1t), 1962, Ser. No. 243,541 14 'Cima (Qi. 294-67) The present invention broadly pertains to storage racks and more particularly to an improved high strength, light weight portable rack for storing and transporting raw materials in elongated form such as rods, bars, channels, pipes, and the like, and which rack can be conveniently stacked in tiered relationship providing thereby a substantial savings in plant space.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the applicants copending application, Serial No. 183,920, filed March 30, 1962, now abandoned.

Storage racks of the general type to which the present invention is applicable are in widespread use in industry for facilitating the storage, material handling, and inventory control of various types of elongated stock. The racks are conventionally known as bar racks and are adapted to be stacked in a series of tiers disposed in adjacent rows and selected ones thereof can be simply removed by suitable hoist equipment and transported by overhead conveyor means or by work trucks to a desired work area.

Bar racks of the Vtype heretofore known have been deficient in one or more aspects, depending upon the handling and storage conditions and the nature of the material handled thereby. For example, prior bar racks which are formed of an elongated, open top framework defining a generally U-shaped storage area have heretofore necessitated the use of a relatively heavy structural framework to minimize distortion thereof as imposed by the load contained therein resulting in a relatively heavy weight thereby detracting from the total payload of stock which conveniently can be stored and transported therein as well as necessitating the use of higher capacity cranes, hoists or other handling equipment.

in addition, the outward forces imposed by the load against the side members of prior bar racks have caused a spreading tendency which increases the difficulty of stacking a plurality of bar racks in tiered relationship and in some instances has resulted in a buckling of a stacked tier resulting in a dumping of a load. The diiculty of stackirnT the bar racks of the types heretofore known has been further aggravated by their columnar construction whereby it has been necessary to precisely align adjacent racks of a tier so that the columns of one are disposed in substantially precise end bearing relationship with the columns of the adjacent rack disposed therebelow to which the entire load of the bar rack and stock therein is transmitted.

Another disadvantage of bar racks of the types heretofore known has been the presence of relatively sharp projections, Weld lines and edges along the inner surfaces thereof against which the bar stock is disposed which frequently results in a scratching or marring of the surfaces of the stock as occasioned by contact with such projections, weld lines and edges. This condition is ,particularly undesirable when stock of a relatively soft nature such as soft metal alloys, plastics, and wood, for eX- ample, are stored therein.

Prior bar racks have also been subject to the .disadvantage that in many -instances slings could not be utilized within the contines of the rack for the purpose of placing material in or removing it from the rack.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved bar rack construction which Mice overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with bar racks of the types heretofore known.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved har rack construction which is of high strength and light weight enabling increased payloads to be carried thereby or equal payloads to be conveniently handled by hoist and transfer equipment having a lower lifting capacity than required with prior bar racks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar rack construction which facilitates the stacking of the bar racks in tiered relationship and in which tiered relationship the weight of the overlying bar rack is transmitted substantially along its entire length to the bar rack disposed therebelow.

A further obiect of the present invention is to provide an improved bar rack construction wherein the interior of the elongated framework is devoid of any sharp projections, weld lines or edges therealong which rcould cause damage to the surfaces of bar stock stored therein during the handling and transportation thereof as well as during loading and unloading.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar rack construction employing structural members of a preselected cross sectional configuration which are positioned so as to accomplish optimum rigidity and resistance to bending, the intertitting of the interconnected members providing a light weight, unitary framework which resists deformation or skewing thereof in spite of heavy loading forces applied thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar rack construction incorporating improved engaging means thereon for engaging and lifting and lowering the bar rack facilitating its transportation to selected work areas and stacking the bar racks in tiered relationship.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar rack `which because of its light weight substantially reduces the freight charges in shipping the rack from one location-to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide an irnproved bar rack construction which enables the use of slings within the confines of the rack for the purpose of placing material in or removing it from the rack.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved bar rack which is of strong light weight construction, and economical to manufacture.

Gther objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a plurality of stacked bar racks constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and illustrating an engaging mechanism for engaging and lifting a bar rack to and from a stacked or tiered relationship;

FIG. 2 is a side ,elevational View partly in section of a bar rack of the type shown in FlGURE l;

FlG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the bar rack shown in FG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the bar rack shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the stacking relationship of a bar rack fragmentarily shown in phantom there-V upper longitudinal member of the bar rack shown in FIG. 2 as viewed along the arrowindicated at 7;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention illustrating in particular an alternatev form of an engaging means thereon for engaging and lifting the bar rack;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the bar rack shown in FIG. 8 and taken substantially along the line 9-9 thereof;

FIG. l is a fragmentary plan view of one side of the bar racl shown in FIG. 8 as viewed along the direction of the arrows 1li- 16;

FIG. 11 is a agmentary side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention illustrating another alternate form of engaging means for engaging and lifting the bar rack;

FIG. l2 is a transversesectional view of the bar rack shown in FIG.V11, taken substantially along the Vline 12-12 thereof;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a transverse sectional View of the structure illustrated in FIG. 13 taken on the line 15-15 thereof;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the structure shown in the encircled portion of FIG. 13 indicated by the arrow 16;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 15, taken on the line 1'7-17 thereof; and

Y FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 17,V taken on the line 18-18 thereof. i

Referring now ,in detail to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1, a series of bar racks are illustrated positioned in a `stacked or tiered relationship and from which relationship selected racks can be removed and transported, for example, by a suitable overhead hoist to selected work areas wherein the stock contained in the rack is readily accessible to the specific manufacturing operation. It will be understood that the bar racks may be of any desired length to accommodate any desired length of stock to be stored and transported therein, it, being understood that it is desirable only to stack or` tier racks of the same size and length. The upper bar rack as viewed in FIGURE 1 is illustratedin engaged relationship with an engaging mechanism or tong 11 which may suitably he suspended from a hook 12 connected to an overhead conveyor hoist actuatable to move the rack to the desired location.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGURES 1-7, each of the bar racks 1@ is'comprised of an elongated framework which is open at the top and at the ends thereof to facilitate loading and unloading of stock Vtherefrom as well as providing for a slight over.

hang of stock having a length greater than the rack. VEach bar rack 1) yis comprised of a pair of upright side frames which are interconnected along the basethereof by a series of transverse members. Each side frame includes a lower longitudinal member 14 andan upper longitudinal member 16 which are disposed in vertically spaced, substantially parallel relationship and extend for Vsubstantially the entire length of the rack.

vThe longitudinal members 14 and 16, as well as the upright end members 18, `the intermediate upright members 20, and the transverse members 24, are of a partially closed channel-shaped cross section as is best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7. Such structural members as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 each include a rst pair of flanges 13 disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relationship which are joined on one side by an integral web extending therebetween, and a second pair of flanges 17 are provided which extend toward each other from the lirst pair of anges 13 in spaced parallel relationship to the web 15, the ends of the flanges 17 terminating in spaced relationship so as to define an elongated slot 17a dis-1 posed centrally of the channel and having a width corresponding substantially .to the width of the flanges 13 or minor outside dimensionof each respective channel. 'Ille foregoing cross sectional configuration of the structural members provides for a unique interconnecting and intertting relationship between the various members as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

All of the structural members of the bar rack 10 and the rack lil described hereinafter in greater detail may be of any high strength metal such as steel and are preferably cold formed to the cross sectional configurations shown in the drawings. It is also contemplated that alternate satisfactory structural metals such as aluminum a1- loy, for example, can be employed for providingrextremely light weight bar racks which are of exceptionally high strength per unit weight and which may be satisfactorily employed in handling bar stocks of a lighter weight. In the preferred form of the configuration of the structural members, the corners thereof are preferably provided with a radius 19 as shown in FIGURE 7 forming thereby a smooth tangential intersection of the flanges 13 with the integral web 15 and the integral flanges 17.

The ends of the longitudinal members 14 and 16 are rigidly connected to each other by the upright end members 113 which extend between and are disposed in overlying relationship around the end portions of the longitudinal members. As shown in the drawings, the end portions of the longitudinal members 14, 16 extend lthrough the slot 17a defined bythe flanges 17 of the upright members 18 and are disposed with the ends thereof .positioned in end-abutting relationship against the inner surface of the integral web of the upright members, the upper ends of the upright membersl being substantially ilush with the outer surface of the upper flange 13 on the member 16 and the lower ends of the upright members 13 being substantially llushkwith the outer surface of the lower flange 13 on the member 14. The end portions of the members 14 and 16 are welded to the adjacent surfaces of the web 15 and the'flanges 17 to form a unitary structure.

The longitudinal members 11i, 16 are also supported in spaced substantially parallel vertical relationship by a series of longitudinally spaced intermediate upright members 2li which are provided with an inwardly extending notch or slot 22 extending inwardly from the end portion of the integral web 15 thereof through which the longitudinal members 14 and 16 extend. The slot 22 is of a Widthrcorresponding substantially to the width of the slot 17a of the upright intermediate member Ztl and extends inwardly from the end thereof a distance corresponding substantially to the major dimension of the longitudinal beams 14 and 16 so that the exterior surfaces of the lon- `s dtudinal beams are substantially ush with the adjacent upper and lower end surfaces of the intermediate upright members 2?. The number of intermediate members employed can be varied in acordance with the specific length Y upright intermediate members 20, are rigidlysecured tot each other in spaced substantially parallel relationship by a seriesof transverse members 24 which extend. between and are disposed in end-abutting and welded relationship against the flanges 17 of the lower longitudinal beams 14 as may be best seen in FIGURES 5 and 6.y The spacing of the Vtransverse members 24 is such thatY the webs 15 thereof abut the flanges 117 of adjacent upright members 13 or 2G and are welded thereto thereby effecting a further interftting relationship between the `shown in FlGURE l are adapted to become 5 various structural components forming a more rigid and unitary framework.

It will be apparent rom foregoing that a relatively large edge-to-edge, surface-to-surface, edge-to-sur face Contact between the interfitting members is achieved in accordance with the configuration of the structural members and the arrangement thereof in the generally U-shaped framework. ribis mgh degree of contact enables a greater length of total weld to be applied between adjoining members eecting a su' stantial improvement in the strength of the connections and the y of the resultant framework. lt will also be apparent that the major dimensions of the structural members are positioned in planar alignment with the direction or the maximum loading force to be applied thereto achieving thereby a maximum resistance to bendng and showing of the framework as occasioned by heavy loads contained therein and enabling thinner gauge metals to be employe while achieving greater ultimate strength of the rack.

hav

of placing stock in or removing it from the recit. When the stock is supported by the rack, as shown in liE 4 for example, the stock bears against the inner flanges 13 of both the upright end members l and the intermediate upright members 2Q and also bears against the langes r3 of the transverse members 2 4 while the ilanges 17 of the lonitudinal ibers and r6 are disposed outwardly of the iianges f3 of the up t members thereby providing clearance space substantially equal to the idth of the flanges i7 of the upright members which permits the slings to be applied to and removed from the load when the slings are disposed within the confines of the rack intermediate the transverse members 24.

The engaging means embodied in trie bar rack shown in FIGURES 1-7 comprises a generally il-shaped crane bar Z6 which extends beneath the rack and upwardly along the side frames thereof. The lower lof*l udinal member le are provided with a recess or indentation 2S along the lower lmge thereof as best seen in Elf-URE 2 which has a depth and a width corresponding substantially to the thickness and the width of the crane bar so that the lower surface of the crane bar 7" is hush the adjacent lower surfaces of the me framework is further rigidified at a point corresponding to the underlying portion of the crane bar 2o by means of a transverse integral channel which extends transversely between and has the ends thereof disposed end-abutting relationship against the ilang s of the lower longitudinal beams The channel securely welded to the longitudinal beams ifi at the end thereof and the flanges of the channel 3@ are welded o the upper surface of the crane bar 25 along each side thereof so as to form a box The edges of the crane bar are also welded to the adjacent intermediate member to further strengthen the unit.

The upper end portions of the crane bar 25 are preferably provided with an extra thickness which is welded to the crane bar in the area formed as a hook portion generally indicated at 32 and is provided at the edges thereof facing the ends of the bar rack with an engaging slot 351- in which the latching rods 3o of the lifting tong ll as engaged for lifting and transpoi ing the bar rack.

The upper projecting portions of the crane bar Salso serve a guiding function for facilitating the stacking of one bar rack on the other. As shown in FlGURE 4, the upperprojecting portions or hook portion 32 of the crane bar 26 are angidarly inclined outwardly forming upwardly and outwardly dii/erging inner surfaces which provide a camming action in coaction with the lower longitudinal member ld of a second oar rack during the lowering thereof facilitating la eral alignment of one rack with respect to the other. rfhe hook portions 32 also serve to maintain the tiered bar racks in appropriate lateral alignment and prevent relative edgewise slippage thereof during their storage in tiered relationship.

The upwardly projecting noch portions 32 also serve to facilitate appropriate longitudinal alignment of the tiered work racks facilitating the stacking of one rack on top of the other. This is accomplished by providing the inward edge of the hook portion 32 opposite to the engaging slot 34 with an angularly inclined cam surface 353 which is adapted to coact with a tab d6 rigidly aixed to the lower portion of the outer flange of the intermediate right member Ztl adjacent to the crane bar 26. The tab do during the lowering movement is adapted to con-V tact the cam surface 3S of the hook portion of the crane bar disposed therebelow eifecting longitudinal camming movement of the bar rack during its descent assuring appropriate longitudinal alignment thereof relative to the bar rack below.

An alternate satisfactory lift engaging structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGURES S-lO can be satisfactorily employed for providing means for grasping and lifting the bar rack as well as lateral and longitudinal guidance thereby during the lowering of a second rack thereon. The bar rack construction as shown in FIG- URES S-lO is similar to that hereinbefore described in connection with FlGURES 1-7 and comprises lower and upper longitudinal members 14 and l, respectively, which are interconnected by the upright end members l, the upright intermediate members 213 and the transverse members 24. Pfhe combination guiding and engaging members comprise a body 4Z including an inwardly directed flange or leg ed which is adapted to be disposed in underlying relationship against the lower flange surface of the upper longitudinal members f6 as shown in FGURE 9. The upper projecting end of the body d2 is provided with an outwardly diverging cam surface at? which is adapted to coact with the lower longitudinal members f fi during the descending movement of a bar rack effecting lateral guiding and alignment thereof relative to the longitudinal axis of the bar rack below. The upper projecting portion of the body d2 is also provided with a longitudinally inclined cam surface 45 directed inwardly toward the center of the rack which is adapted to Coact with the tabs lil of a bar rack being lowered effecting appr priate longitudinal guidance and alignment thereof relative to the racl; disposed therebelow.

The body d2 is also provided with a vertical lip generally indicated at which is adapted to be disposed in overlying relationship against the edge of the outer flange of die upright il-- rmediate member 29 yas shown in FIG- URES 8 and l0. The body 42. accordingly is securely fastened to the upper longitudinal member la andthe intermediate upright member 2@ along the edges -of contact therewith whereby the lifting forces applied thereto are transmitted uniformly to the entire framework of the bar rack.

The body 42 is provided with a recess 52 as best Vseen in FGURE 9 which pens toward the ends of the bar rack and having one wall thereof defined `by the outer integral web of the upper longitudinal member 16. The recess 52 in each of the four body members l2 are adapted to be kremovably engaged 'by a suitably shaped tang l(not shown) of a lifting mechanism for raising and transporting the bar rack and the bar stock contained therein to ya selected location. Y

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FlGURES 1l and l2 which is particularly vadaptedfor use in light weight bar racks to provide means for grasping and lifting the racks as well as lateral and longitudinal guidance during the `lowering of another raclr thereon. The bar rack construction as shown-in FIGURES ll and l2 is similar to that liereinbefore described in connection with FIGS. l through 7 and also comprises lower and upper longitudinal members 14 Iand 16, respectively, which are interconnected by the upright end vmembers 1S,

the intermediate upright members 2i? and the transverse members 24 in the manner previously described. In this embodiment of the invention'combination guiding and engaging members 55 are provided that are each formed of two plates 56 and 58 which are Vwelded together to form a double thickness and which deiine an engaging slot 60 in which the latching rods 36 of the lifting tong are adapted to become engaged for lifting and transporting the bar rack.

The intermediate portion of the plate 56 is welded to the web of the upper longitudinal member .lo and the lower end portion of the plate 56 is bent inwardly to provide a flange 62 which is welded to the lower tlange 13 of the upper longitudinal members 16. The edges of the plates 56 and 58 abut the web 15 of the adjacent upright member and are welded thereto, the lower portion 64 of the plate 53 projecting substantially vertically downwardly to provide a gusset. Such a construction permits each member 55 to be directly welded to the adjacent upright member 29 as well as to the upper longitudinal member i6 which in turn is welded to the same upright member 2t) in the manner previously described with the result that the weight supported by each membei 55 is transmitted through the adjacent upright member 20 and at the same time both the longitudinal member 16 and the adjacent upright member 2Q are substantially reinforced.

The upwardly projecting portions of the members 55 also serve a guiding function for facilitating the stacking of one bar rack on another bar rack. As shown in FIG- URE 12, the upwardly projecting portions of the plates 56 and 58 are angularly inclined outwardly providing upwardly and outwardly diverging inner surfaces 66 which effect a camming action in coaction with they lower longitudinal members 14 of a second bar rack during the lowering thereof thereby facilitating lateral alignment of one rack with respect to the other. The upwardly projecting portions of the members 55 also serve to maintain the tiered bar racks in appropriate lateral alignment and prevent relative transverse movement thereof during storage in tiered relationship.

The upwardly projecting portions of the members 55 also serve to facilitate appropriate longitudinal alignment of the tiered racks facilitating the stacking of one rack on top of the other, this being accomplished by inclining the surfaces 68 or" the platesSo and 58 opposite the slot 6@ asy shown in FIGURE ll. With such a construction the surfaces 63 provide a camming actionV and coact with the tabs 4i? in the manner previously described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES l through 7 so that the tabs during the lowering movement contact the surfaces 68 to effect longitudinal camming movement of the bar rack during its descent to assure appropriate longitudinal alignment thereof relative to the bar rack therebelow.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 13 through 18 and is comprised of a bar rack generally designated 7 t) which deiines an elongated frame- Vwork that is open at the top and at the ends thereof to facilitate loading and unloading of stock therefrom as well as providing fory a slight overhang of stock having a length greater than the rack. The bar rack 70 is cornprised of a pair of Vupright side frames which are interconnected along the base thereof by a series of transverse members. Y Each side frame includes a lower longitudinal iefrfiaa member 72 and an upper longitudinal member 74 which are disposed in vertically spaced, substantially parallel relationship and which extend for the entire length of the rack.

The longitudinal members 72 and 74 are of a partially closed channel shaped cross section, as shown in FiG- URE l5, and each of the longitudinal members includes a rst pair of flanges 76 and 78 which are disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and which are joined on one side by an integral web Sil extending therebetween, and a second pair of flanges 82 and 84 are provided which extend toward each other from the anges 76 and 7 respectively in spaced parallel relationship to the web Sii, the ends of anges S2V and 34 terminating in spaced relationship so as to denne an elongated slot 86 disposed centrally of the channel.

The longitudinal members 72, '74 are rigidly connected to each other by a plurality of upright members 88 which are spaced longitudinally of the longitudinal members and the opposite ends of which are iixed to the longitudinal members. rEhe number of upright membersV employed can be varied in accordance with the desired length of the bar rack to achieve the desired strength and capacity. Each of the upright members S8 is of generally channel shaped cross section as shown in FIGURES 14 and 18 and includes a pair of ilanges 90 and 92 which are integrally joined by a web 9d. As shown inV FIGURE 15, the lower and upper portions of the anges 99 and 92 are cut away at a position spaced from the web 94 so asv to denne notches $6 and 98 adapted to receive the lower and upper longitudinal members 72 and 74, respectively. The height of the notches 95 and 9S is such that the upper ends of the upright members are substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper flange 76 on the member 74 and the lower ends of the upright members are substantially hush with the outer surface of the lower flange '75 on the member 72. The width of the notches 95 and 9S is equal to the transverse thickness of the longitudinal members 72 and 74 so that the outer surface of the web Si? of each of the longitudinal members is ilush with the free ends of the ilanges 9d and'Z of the upright members. With such a construction the ilanges 82 and 84 of the longitudinal members are disposed outwardly of the rack with respect ot the web portions 94 of the upright members. Y j

Each of the side frames comprising the longitudinal members 72 and '74 and the upright members 88 are rigidly secured to each other in spaced, substantially parallel relationship by a series of transverse members iii@ which extend between the side frames.Y The spacing lof the transverse members preferably corresponds to the spacing of the upright members and the transverse members are preferably of a partially closed channel shaped cross section as illustrated in FIGURE 17 so as to include a first pair of anges 1%2 and Lid which are disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relationship and which are joined on one side by an integral web portion litio, a second pair` of lianges 1% and liti extending toward each other from the iirst pair of ilanges 192 and ldd in spaced, parallel relationship to the web 1% with the ends of the anges 108 and 11i? terminating in spaced relationship so as to detine an elongated slot 112 disposed centrally of the channel and having a width corresponding substantially to the width of the web portion 94 or minor outside dimension of the upright members S8.

The web portions 1536 of the transverse members are provided with notches lle which extend inwardly from each end of the web lil-5 and through which the upright members extend as shown in FGURE 18. The slots lid are of a width corresponding substantially to theV ends of the vtransverse members a distance corresponding f substantially to the major dimension or depth of the tanges gli and 52 of the upright members. so that the ends of the transverse members terminatel near the outer surfaces ofthe webs Si? .of the longitudinal members. The number of transverseV members employed can, ofcourse, be varied in accordance with the desired length and strength of the rack, and the adjacent surfaces of the upright members S8, the longitudinal members 72 and 74 and the transverse members are welded to each other so as to form a unitary structure. The spacing of the transverse members is such that the portions of the web on the opposite sides of the upright members may be welded to the adjacent upright members and to the flange T6 of the longitudinal member 72 thereby effecting an intertting relationship between the various structural components which forms a rigid and unitary framework.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a relatively large edge-toedge, surface-to-surface and edge-to-surface contact between .the interfirting members is achieved in accordance with `the configuration of the structural embers and the arrangement thereof in Vthe generally U-shaped framework thereby enabling adjoining members to be welded to obtain maximum strength at `the connections and maximum rigidity in the resultant framework. It will also be apparent that ,the structural members "72, '74, 38 and list) are positioned so as to achieve maximum resistance to bending and twisting of the framework as occasioned by heavy loads contained in the rack and enable thinner gauge metals to be employed while chiev- `ing eater ultimate strength for the rack. v

The above-described construction also permits the use of slings within the contines of the rack for the purpose of placincr stock in or removing it from the rack. When bar stock, for example, is supported by the racli, tl e stock bears against the web portions 9d. of the upright members and also bears against the webs lil of the transverse members while the franges S2 and dit. of the longitudinal members 'f2 and 7d are disposed outwardly of the web portions 94 of the upright members thereby providing `clearance space which permits slings to be applied to and removed from the load when slings are disposed within the confines of the rack intermediate the transverse members 143i).

in order to increase the strength of the rack, stress bars H6 may be provided which extend diagonally between the longitudinal members 72. and 7dr, the lower end por- .tions of the stress bars 116 being welded to the iianges 82 and 84 of the lower longitudinal member 72 while the upper end portions of the stress bars llo are welded to the flanges $2 and 34 of the upper longitudinal member 74. Y

in this embodiment of the invention crane bars lllS are provided which extend upwardly along the side frames of the rac1 The lower longitudinal members '72 are provided with slots l2@ in the web portion thereof each adapted to receive a crane bar ld, and the lower end portion l22 of each crane bar projects through a slot l2@ and is bent diagonally upwardly and welded to the lower longitudinal member at a position adjacent the junction of the ilanges and 32. The 'crane bars overlie the outer end portions of the intermediate upright members 88 and are welded to the ends of the franges 31d and 92 of the upright members so as to form a 'box beam.

The upper portions of the crane bars are preferably provided with an extra thickness which is welded to the crane ybar in the area formed as a hook portion generally indicated at 124 and is provided lat the edges thereof facing the ends of the bar rack with an engaging slot lid in which the latching reds 36 of the lifting tong ll shown in FGURE l are adapted yto become engaged for lifting and transporting the bar rack.

The upper projecting portions of tige crane bar ll also serve a guiding function to facilitate the stacking of one bar rack on another, the upper projecting portions of the crane bars ils being angularly inclined outwardly to form upwardly and outwardly di' erging surfaces which provide a camming action in coaction with the lower longitudinal member 72 of a second bar rack during the lowering thereof so as to etect lateral alignment of one rack with respect to the other. The hook portions l.- also serve to maintain the tiered bar racks in appropriate lateral alignment and prevent relative edgewise slippage when the racks are stored in tiered relationship. y

The upwardly projecting hook portions 124 also serve to facilitate appropriate longitudinal alignment of the racks relative to one another, ythis being accomplished by providing the inner edge of the hooi; portion li opposite the slot 126 with a cam surface ld which is adapted to coact with an angle-shaped guide member 13% having an angularly inclined cam surface 32. The guide member i3d is fixed to the web 8G of the lower longitudinal member at a position adjacent the crane bar MS. The cam surface l32 of the guide member i3@ is adapted to contact the cam surface L28 of the hook portion of the crane bar which is disposed therebelow during the lowering movement so as to effect longitudinal cainming movement of ythe bar racir during its descent thereby assuring appropriate longitudinal alignment o the uppermost bar rack relative to the bar rack upon which it rests.

ln accordance with the construction of the bar racks herein shown and described, a high strength, comparatively light weight, rigid framework is provided which is readily portable and can be conveniently stacked in a tiered relationship in a manner as shown in FIGURES l and 4. By virtue of the construction employed, the lower ilange surfaces of the lower longitudinal members of an overlying .bar raclr are disposed in substantially longitudinal bearing contact against the upper tlange surfaces of the upper longitudinal members of a bar rack disposed therebelow while the lower ends of `the upright mem ers of the overlying bar rack bear against the upper ends of the upright members of the underlying rack thereby providing a substantial uniform distribution of the r'veight of the work racks and bar stock thereabove through the longitudinal members as well as through the upright members. This elongated bearing contact surface of the longitudinal members simpliiies the stacking of the bar racks in tiers and also reduces the likelihood of lateral or longitudinal slippage in the event the upright members are not precisely aligned. As shown in the drawings the bar rack `structures have smooth internal surfaces against which the bar stock is disposed and all welds and edges are spaced from the carrying area thereby minimizing the possibility of iniiic'dng damage to the surfaces of the stock.

VJhile it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of ythe invention disclosed are well calculated to fullll t e objects above stated, it will he appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modication, variation and change without departing from the proper vscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a bar rack, the combination including a pair of side units each comprising a pair of horizontally eX- tending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced parallel relationship and a plurality of vertically disposed upright members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly fixed Vto said longitudinal members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a rst pair of spaced ilanges projecting from said web and a second pair of flanges extending toward each other from said irst ilanges in parallel relationship to Ysaid web and terminating in spaced relationship so as to define a slot, the end portions of the web 'of each upright member having an inwardly extending recess intermediate said rst flanges adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recess in said upright members at the ends thereof, and a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudinally of said raclr and extending between said side units, the end Aportions of said transverse members being fixed to said second flanges of the longitudinal members adjacent the lower edges of said side units to form a unitary structure open 'at the top and at each end.

2. ln a bar rack, the combination including a pair of side units each comprising a pair of horizontally eX- tending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced .parallel relationship and `a plurality of vertically disposed upright members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly fixed to said longitudinal members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped c'ro'ss section including alanine a web, a iirst pair of spaced flanges projecting from said to dene a slot, the end portions of the web of eachV upright member having an inwardly extending recess intermediate said first flanges adapted to receive Said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recesses in said upright members -at the ends thereof with the outer flanges of said longitudinal members being flush with the adjacent ends' of said upright members, `and a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between said side units, the end portions of said transverse members being fixed to said second langes of the longitudinal members adjacent the lower edges of said side units to form a unitary structure open at the top and at each end.

3. In a bar rack, the combination including a pair of spaced side units each comprising a pair of horizontally extending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced parallel relationship and extending for substantially the entire length of said rack and a plurality of vertically disposed upright members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly fixed to said longitudinal members, a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being fixed to said side units adjacent the lower edges thereof, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a iirst pair of spaced flangesl projecting from said web and a second pair of flanges extending toward each other from said rst ilanges in parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spaced relationship so as to deiine a slot, the endl portions of the webs of said upright members each having an inwardly extending recess intermediate the first flanges thereof adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longi- Ytudinal members extending throughV the slots and the recesses in said upright members at the ends thereof, the web portions of said upright members being disposed in parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes extending longitudinally of said rack, the end portions of said transverse members being xedto said second flanges of said longitudinal members.

4. In a bar rack, the combination including a pair of spaced side units each comprisingV a pair of horizontally extending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced parallel relationship and extending for substantially the entire length of said rack and a plurality of vertically disposed upright members spaced longitudinally of said raclcand extending between and being rigidly fixed to said longitudinal members, a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being fixedV to said side units adjacent the lower edges thereof to form a unitary structure open at the top and at each end, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a first pair of spaced flanges projecting from said web and a second pair of flanges extending toward each other from said first flanges in parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spacedrelationship so as to define a slot, the end portions of the webs of said upright memberseach having an inwardly extending recess intermediate the iirst flanges thereof adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recesses in said upright members at the ends thereof with the outer flanges of said longitudinal members being ilush with the ends of said upright members, the web portions of'said upright members being disposed at parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes extending longitudinally of l2 said rack, the end portions of said transverse members being fixed to said second flanges of said longitudinal members and to an adjacent upright member.

5. A bar rack open at the top and at each end and comprised of a pluralityV of longitudinal members, a plurality of uprightmembers and a plurality of transverse members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, Y

a first pair of spaced flanges projecting from said web and a second pair of flanges projecting toward Veach l other from said iirst flanges in parallel relationship to said web 'and terminating in spaced relationship so as to define a slot, the end portions of the webs of each of said upright members having an inwardly extending recess intermediate said first flanges adapted to receivesaid longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recesses in'said upright members, the web portions of said upright niembers being disposed in paralled planes extending transversely of said racl; and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes extending longitudinally of said rack, said transversemembers being spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending transversely of said rack adjacent the base thereof, the web portions of said transverse members ex-l tending in parallel planes parallel to the planes of the web portions of said upright members, the end portions of said transverse members being positioned in abutting relationship against the adjacent second tianges of the lower ones of longitudinal members and also being fixed to an adjacent upright member.

6. A bar rack open at the top and at each end and 'i comprised of a plurality of longitudinal members, a plurality of upright members and a plurality of transverse members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a first pair of spaced flanges projecting from said web and a second pair of flanges projecting toward each other from said lirst flanges in parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spaced relationship so as to deiine a slot, the end portions of the webs of each of said upright members having an inwardly extending recess in- Y termediate said first flanges adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recesses in said upright members, the web portions of said upright members being!V disposed in parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes Vextending longitudinally of said rack, said transverse members beingspaced lon,

gitudinally of said rack and extending transversely of said rack adjacent the base thereof, the web portions of said transverse members extending in parallel planesrr.

parallel to the planes of the web portions of said upf right members, the end portions of said transverse members being positioned in abutting relationship against the adjacent second flanges of the lower ones of longitudinal members and also being fixed to an adjacent upright member, and means for lifting said rack, said means comprising a pair of generally U-shaped crane bars partially encompassing said rack at longitudinally spaced points therealong and rigidly fixed thereto, the upper portions of said bars projecting above the uppermost of said longitudinal members and being provided with hook means thereon, and longitudinally and transversely inclined cam means on said hook means yadapted to coact with means on a second rack Vduring descending movement thereof for longitudinally and transversely aligning the racks relative to each other.

7. A bar rack open at Ithe top and atv each end and comprised of a plurality of longitudinal members, a

plurality of upright members and a plurality of transverse members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a rst pair of spaced flanges projecting from said web and a kvvardly relative to the .f n, lo

second pair of flanges projecting toward each other from said first flanges in parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spaced relationship sov as to deiine a slot, the end portions of each of the webs of said upright membersvhaving an inwardlyl extending recess intermediate said first anges adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recesses in said upright members, the web portions of said upright members being disposed in parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes extending longitudinallyI of said rack, said transverse members being spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending transversely of said rack adjacent the base thereof, the web portions of said transverse members extending in parallel planes parallel to the planes of the web portions of said uprightmembers, the end portions of said transverse members being positionedrin abutting relationship against theadiacen-t second flanges of the lower ones of longitudinal members and also being fixed to an adjacent uprightV member and engaging and guide means iixed to said rack, said lastmentioned means comprising a pair of generally U-shaped crane bars 'partially encompassing said rack at longitudinally spaced points thereon and being rigidly Vfixed thereto, the lower of said longitudinal members each being provided with upwardlydirected indentations therein for receiving said bar whereby the lowermost surface thereof is substantially iiush with the lowermost surfaces of said lower longitudinal members, the upper portions of said bars projecting above the upper longitudinal members and deflining hook means, said hook means being inclined outweb portions of said longitudinal members and being provided with longitudinally inwardly directed Cam surfaces for coacting with means on a second raclr during the descending movement thereof forvlo'ngitudinally and transversely aligning said second rack relative to said 'rst rack.

8. A bar rack open vat the top and at each end and comprised of a plurality of longitudinal members, a plurality of upright members and a plurality of transverse members', each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a first pairof spaced flanges projecting from said web and a second pair ofvilanges projecting toward each other from said rst flanges vin parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spaced relationship so as to denne a slot, theend portions of each of the webs of said upright members having an inwardly extending recess intermediate said first flanges adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending throughthe slots and the recesses in said upright members, the web portions of said upright members being disposed in parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes extending longitudinally of said rack, said transversev members being spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending transversely of said rack adjacent the base thereof, the web portions of said transverse members extending in parallel planes parallel to the planes of the Yweb portions of said upright members', `the end portions 'of said transverse members being positioned in abutting relationship against the adjacent see''n'd flanges of the lower ones of longitudinal members and 'also being fixed to an adjacent upright member, and Va plurality of combination guide and engaging elements disposed in longitudinally and Vtransversely spaced relationship on said rack and being rigidly fixed to the upper said longitudinal kmembers, and an upright member connected thereto, each of said combination guide and engaging elements comprising a body member deiiining a longitudinal outwardly d' ected cavity for removably receiving an engaging tong, the upper portion of said body member proiecting above the upper longitudinal members and being provided with a lateral outwardly diverging cam surface and a longitudinal inwardly inclined cam surface adapted to coact with means on a secondraclr during descending movement thereof for longitudinally and transversely `aligning the racks relative to each other. i p

9. A bar rack. open at the top and at each end and comprised of a plurality of longitudinal members, a plurality of upright members and a` pluralityof transverse members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a first pair of spaced franges projecting from said web anda second pair of lianges projecting toward each other from said rst flanges in parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spaced relationship so as to delinea slot, the end portions ,of each of the webs of `said upright members having an inwardly extending recess intermediatesaid first ilanges adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extendingY through the slots and the recesses in said uprigbtrmembers, the web portions of said upright members being disposed in parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal members being disposed in parallel planes extendincr longitudinally of said rack, said transverse members being spaced longitudinallyv of said rack and extending transversely of said raclV adjacent the base thereof, the web portions of said transverse members extending in parallel planesparallel to the planes of the web portions of said upright members, the vend portions of said transverse members being positioned in abutting relationsbipragainst the adjacent second iianges of the lower ones oflongitudinal members and also being iixed to an adjacent upright member, and means for lifting said rack, said means comprising a pluralityof bars xed to the opposite sides of said raclt atllongitudinally spaced points therealong, the upper portions of said bars projecting above the uppermost of said longitudinal members and being provided 'with hook means thereon, and longitudinally and transversely inclined cam means on said upper portions of said bars adapted to coact with means on a second rack lduring descending movement thereof for longitudinally and transversely aligning the racks relative to each other.

l0. A bar raclr open at the top and at each end and comprised of a plurality of longitudinal members, a plurality of upright members and a plurality of transverse members, each of said members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a iirst pair of spaced flanges proiecting from said web and a second pair of flanges projecting toward each other from said rst flanges in parallel relationship to said web and terminating in spaced relationship so as to define a slot, the end portions of each of the vwebs of said upright members having an inwardly extending recess intermediate said rst ilanges adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the slots and the recesses in said upright members, Vthe web portions of said upright members being disposed in parallel planes extending transversely of said rack and the web portions of said longitudinal niembers being disposed 'in parallel planes extending longitudinally of said rack, said transverse members being spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending transversely of vsaid rack adjacent the base thereof, the web portions of saidftransverse menibers extending in parallel planes parallel to the planes or" the web portions of said upright members, the end portions of said transverse members being positioned in abutting relationship against the Aadjacent second flanges 'of the lower ones of longitudinal members and Valso being xed to 'an adjacent upright member, and a plurality yof combination guide and 'engaging elements disposed in longitudinally and transversely spaced relationship 'on said rack and being rigidly ixed to the upper vsaid longitudinal members andan upright member connected thereto, eacbjof said combinationguide andengaging means comprising a pair of plates welded together and deli-ning an engaging slot for removably receiving an engaging tong, the upper portions of said plates projecting above the upper longitudinal members and being provided with a lateral outwardly diver-ging cam surface and a longitudinal inwardly inclined cam surface adapted to coact with means on a second rack during descending movement thereof for longitudinally and transversely aligning the racks relative to each other.

1l. In a bar rack, the combination including a pair of side units each comprising a pair or" horizontally extending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced parallel relationship and a plurality of vertically spaced upright members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly ixed to said longitudinal members, each of said longitudinal members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a first pair of spaced ilanges projecting from said web and a second pair of flanges extending toward each other from said lirst tianges in parallel relationship to said web, said upright members being of channel shaped cross section including a pair of langes integrally joined by a web, the end portions of said upright members having an inwardly extending recess adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the recesses defined by said upright members at theY opposite ends thereof with the outer anges of said longitudinal members being substantially liush with the adjacent ends of said upright members, and' a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extendinU between said side units, the end portions of said transverse members being xed to the lowermost longitudinal members to form a unitary structure open at the top and at each end.

l2. In a bar rack, the combination including a pair of side units each comprising a pair of horizontally extending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced parallel relationship and a plurality of vertically spaced upr'ight members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly xed to said longitudinal members, each of said longitudinal members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, -a first pair of spaced lianges projecting from said web and a second pair of anges extending toward each other from said first flanges in parallel relationship to said web, said upright members being of channel shaped cross section including a pair of anges integrally joined by a web, the end portions or said upright members having an inwardly extending recess adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the recesses delined by said upright members at the opposite ends thereof with the outer anges of said longitudinal members being substantially flush with the adjacent ends of said upright members, a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudirtally of said rack and extending between said Vside units, the end portions of said transverse members being fixed tothe lowermost longitudinal members to form a unitary structure open at the top and at each end, and means on said side units engageable with means for lifting said rack.

V13. In a bar rack, the combination including a pair of side units each comprising a pair of horizontally extending longitudinal members disposed in vertically spaced parallel relationship and a plurality of vertically spaced upright members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly fixed to said longitudinal members, each of said longitudinal members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a lirst pair of spaced flanges projecting from said web and a second pair of iianges extending toward each other from said lirst flanges in parallel relationship to said web, said upright members being of channel shaped cross section including a pair of llanges integrally joined by a web, the end portions of l5 said upright members having an inwardly extending recess adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the recesses definedV by said upright members at the opposite ends thereof with the outer flanges of said longitudinal members being substantially ush with the adjacent ends of said upright members, a plurality ot transverse members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between said side units, the end portions of said transverse members being fixed to the lowermost longitudinal members to form a unitary structure open at the top and at each end, and

means on said side units for lifting said rack, said last-l mentioned means Vcomprising a plurality of crane'bars.

xed to said side units in longitudinally spaced relationship, the upper portions of said bars projecting above said side units and being provided with hook means thereon for removably engaging lifting means, and cam means on said side units adapted to coact with means on a second rack during descending vmovement thereof for longitudinally and transversely aligning the racks relative to each other.

14. ln a bar rack, the combination including a pair 0f side units each comprising a pair of horizontally extending longitudinal members disposed in verticallyV 'spaced parallel relationship and a plurality of vertically spaced upright embers spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between and being rigidly fixed to said longitudinal members, each of said longitudinal members having a partially closed channel shaped cross section including a web, a rst pair of spaced flanges projecting from said web and a second pair of lianges extending toward each other from Vsaid rst iianges in parallel relationship to said web, said upright members being of channel shaped cross section including a pair of anges integrally joined by a web, the end portions of said upright members having an inwardly extending recess adapted to receive said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members extending through the recesses defined by said upright members at the opposite ends thereof with the outer llanges of said longitudinal members being substantially llush with the adjacent ends of said upright members, a plurality of transverse members spaced longitudinally of said rack and extending between said side units, the end portions of said transverse members being lxcd to the lowermost longitudinal members to form a unitary structure open at the top and at each end, and means on said side units for lifting said rack, ksaid last-mentioned means comprising a pair of crane bars xed to each of said side units in longitudinally spaced relationship, the lower of said longitudinal members each being provided with slots in the web thereof adapted to receive the lower end portions of said crane bars, the upper portions of said bars projecting above the upper longitudinal memvbers and deining hook means, said hook means being inv clined outwardly relative to the web portions of said longitudinal members and being provided with cam surfaces adapted to coact With means on a second rack during the Y descending movement thereof for longitudinally and transversely aligning said second rack relative to said first rack. References Cited by Vthe Examiner UNITED srArns PATENTS 732,037

6/03 Best 211-60 1,985,150 12/34 collins 18944 2,960,238 11/60 Park 211-134 3,028,185 4/62 skubic 294-67 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,001,473 1-/57 Germany.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Acting Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, ERNEST A. FALLER, .R.,

Examiners. 

1. IN A BAR RACK, THE COMBINATION INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE UNITS EACH COMPRISING A PAIR OF HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS DISPOSED IN VERTICALLY SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP AND A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED UPRIGHT MEMBERS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID RACK AND EXTENDING BETWEEN AND BEING RIGIDLY FIXED TO SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS HAVING A PARTIALLY CLOSED CHANNEL SHAPED CROSS SECTION INCLUDING A WEB, A FIRST PAIR OF FLANGES EXTENDING TOWARD EACH WEB AND A SECOND PAIR OF FLANGES EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER FROM SAID FIRST FLANGES IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO SAID WEB AND TERMINATING IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP SO AS TO DEFINE A SLOT, THE END PORTIONS OF THE WEB OF EACH UPRIGHT 